I was at that game.

They played Middlesboro.

They released over 1,000 tickets the day before kick off as the new stand was completed.

I went with my Boro freind at uni.

We were right at the back of the highest stand and the referee was charged back by United players about 30 metres or so after a penalty was awarded.....

I hate Fergie and Wenger- they both breed dirty cheats. I thought it was a great week for European football.

I am glad Newcastle are back. Congratulations.

On my only ever visit to Newcastle I was randomly punched in the mouth by a girl. Memories...............................

You say cheat, I say they maximise oportunities for their teams as any good coach would by operating within the full extent of the laws of the game...but I take your point

Wouldnt it be nice if they would be a bit more sporting in defeat and not blame the ref or the all the other slings and arrows of outragous fortune that seem to allign against them. At least Wenger held up his hands and acknowledged that they were beaten by a better team/man.

You know, European semis with no English involvement can only really be good for the game I think. Barca vs Inter is an intreaguing fixture, how will Jose deal with the Barca attack...gonna be good to watch. Winner of that one I think will go on to win the whole thing.

I liken cheating in Football to MP's expenses. Just because it is within the law does not mean it's right. These people should be role models of how to treat others within the law- not looking at pushing the rules for personal gain.

I think the Semi's will be great because you have 4 team's from 4 countries. Both mouth watering games. The favourite will definately come from Barca-Inter but the final is only 90 minutes (or one leg should I say) so it will not be done and dusted.

Ferguson has simply done what he is the undisputed master at - instead of poring over the team's failings on the field, today's chatter is now about Gobshite Fergie.

When it comes to deflecting criticism from his players, nobody can match him.

These people are paid big money to make sure the team has the best chance to win. If its fair play and sportsmanship you are looking for you are looking in the wrong place, its not their job. That has to come from FIFA/ UEFA/ The FA to introduce rules that can be enforced and to back up the refs authority to make the right decision under pressure.

Losing ten meters for dissent with the refs decision, sin binning for yellow cards and a bunch of other ideas stolen from field hockey and rugby where the ref is not treated like shit would be a good start if you ask me.

The authorities attitude to technology and video replay in contentious decisions is bizarre too if you ask me, but the managers are just doing their job in using all the tools at their disposal to influence events their way, and I expect no less from them to be honest, even if its not pretty sometimes. Not their job to make and enforce the rules...that's up to the sporting bureauticians.

And good point about fergies mastery of distraction by media... no one is talking about how they lost the lead in the first leg, or snatched defeat from the jaws of victory yesterday, or questioning Rafaels stupidity in picking up his first card are they

He's not that subtle.

He's Scottish.

Iain, you have truly surpassed yourself with that one!

Its a word I just made up and even then managed to misspell

Bureautician... Bureaucrat / Politician

i just thought i'd stop by here and put in a good word for my Fulham... perhaps by the end of today we'll be the only english team left in europe!

And let's hope they win!

What's this obsession with English teams in Europe? Any self respecting football supporter will only want their team to win and hope all other English teams get knocked out in the first round while encountering a lot of injuries.

AKA The Love That Dare Not Speak It's Name.

Ties up a lot of resources does sucess in Europe...it can weaken teams and distracts them from their domestic chores Success in Europe by others is welcomed, as long as they are not too successful.

Good result for Pool. Good result for Fulham.

Whatever next?